Approved Sources

Down payments can only come from approved sources. Examples of approved sources, depending on the program, are:

Savings

401(k) loan

Grant from an approved down payment assistance program

Gift from relative

Proceeds from the sale of an asset

Sources Not Allowed

Down payment help from parties that benefit from the property sale is not allowed. For example:

The home seller

Real estate agent representing either the buyer or seller

Lender for the transaction

Home builder

Down payment funds must be documented to prove that they come from an approved source. That can include bank statements, deposit slips, gift letters stating the funds need not be repaid, bills of sale and other paperwork.

Down Payment for a Home

In the context of home buying, a down payment of 20 percent or more of the purchase price can keep you from having to pay private mortgage insurance, or PMI. Private mortgage insurance may require an initial premium payment of 1.0 percent to 5.0 percent of your mortgage amount, as well as an additional monthly fee depending on your loan’s structure. PMI protects lenders from losing money if borrowers default or fails to repay their debt.

Effect on Monthly Payment

Down payments can also help make your monthly payments manageable. Generally, the larger your down payment on a home or a car, the less you will have to pay each month. This can help you stay within your monthly budget so that you can save and invest money as you please.

Options

If you don’t have a great deal of money for a down payment on a home or a car, consider your options. There may be mortgages available that allow you to make low down payments, as well as plans that allow you to have two mortgages so you can avoid having to pay PMI. If your savings are low, but you are interested in buying, you might want to look into special government programs that allow first-time homebuyers and veterans to purchase with little or no down payment. And if you need to get a car, you can consider a leasing plan if you can’t make a substantial down payment.

Regardless of your down payment situation, be sure that whatever kind of loan you get is one you can manage. Work out the numbers and determine if waiting and saving more for a down payment can help you meet other financial goals, or if using what you have on hand for a down payment is right for you.